NEW YORK — Following Tai Wynyard’s commitment to Kentucky on Sunday, fellow Kiwi Steven Adams says more American colleges should recruit New Zealand.
“We got talent down there,” the 7-foot Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder told SNY.tv before his team played the Knicks Wednesday night. “I’ve been saying that the whole time, we definitely do got a lot of talent down there.”
Adams was the first New Zealander selected in the first round of the NBA Draft when he was chosen No. 12 in 2013 .He said he’s not very familiar with Wynyard, a 16-year-old 2016 power forward who also considered Villanova and Texas before choosing the No. 1 Wildcats.
“Hopefully, there’s more kids that come out like him,” said Adams, who was recruited to Pittsburgh by coach Jamie Dixon.
Adams said he’s working to develop the young talent in New Zealand and that more American schools should recruit there.
“Oh, definitely,” he said. “We’re putting in programs now. I’m doing all I can just to put in as much basketball programs as possible, just so we can really get them the skills because there’s tons of talent down there, just so it will be an easier transition from there to American basketball.”
Adams said he sponsors an AAU team that plays summer ball in the U.S.
“We always fly them over in the summer in Vegas and then we run them through tournaments, from 13- to 17-year olds,” Adams said. “We bring them there, just to get them any sort of exposure that they can. And also just so they have a good time. It’s always cool coming to America.”
